Europe Triathlon

More than 110 triathletes of all ages took part in their first national race of 2014 as the Belarus Triathlon Federation hosted an Aquathlon in Minsk at the weekend.

It was an indoor aquathlon race, with the swimming leg in a 25m pool and the run leg on the indoor track.

It was definitely a family affair - the youngest athlete, Anatoly Bukovets aged 9, was cheered on by his father, a triathlete for more than ten years but who preferred to support his off-spring rather than race himself this time. The oldest age group athlete was Piotr Kukharchyk, aged 60.

In the elite category (400m swim and 2000m run), Aliaksandr Dakhno, a successful Belarussian junior who has now moved up to elite level, won the gold with Nikita Chakhouski second and Andrei Los third (pictured above).

Dakhno was granted an ETU development scholarship last year which helped him to participate in the international races and gain race experience.

In the Women’s race, Anna Maksimova finished first ahead of Tatiana Usova and Kristina Rulkevich (pictured below).

Maria Cherkovskaya-Tarasevich, Secretary General of the Belarus Triathlon Federation, said: “The Federation is delighted that this first race of the year gathered so many participants and we hope that this very successful beginning of this triathlon season will be followed by very exciting races further on.”